When I began my quest to interview the fearless, out-spoken President of Louisiana's Plaquemines Parish, Billy Nungesser, it was as though I was a groupie reaching out to a rock star on tour. Nungesser's mighty public presence on Louisiana's southern G.... more >>

Cost of Cape Wind Pales Next to Cost of Status QuoThursday, June 23, 2011 — Listed under Environment

On January 7, 2011, Matthew L. Wald wrote an article for the NYT's Energy and Environment GREEN Blog entitled, Cape Wind is Cleared for Takeoff--Mostly. Wald's piece reports that Cape WInd received its final government permit last Friday. The online comment I posted for this piece is copied here, below:

Great News! This is a long-overdue win and I hope that Cape Wind will inspire clean energy innovation along the 27 U.S. states bordering the sea. Maria Bart.... more >>

Compelling Economics of the Wind Power IndustrySunday, January 9, 2011 — Listed under Environment

Carl Safina's extensive environmental journeys provide compelling justification that ENERGY REFORM (and the Made in the U.S.A. jobs that MUST support it) will provide the indispensable economic stimulus required to get moving again.

I sensed that Boston Globe's Beth Daley was somewhat biased in her view of the Cape Wind project when early in her October 10, 2010 article, entitled, "Cape Wind backers blew right by cost," she referred to the pioneering offshore wind installation as an "arresting" concept. Daley described the notion of building 130 wind turbines, capable of supplying two thirds of the electrical power required by Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard, as "too steep" an undertaking in "tough economic times."

My interview with Eric Pooley concerning the political maneuvering both for and against clean energy legislation was published today on www.EnergyBoom.com. Pooley, who is Deputy Editor for Bloomberg BusinessWeek Magazine, discusses his new book, The Climate War.

In our discussion near his Bloomberg Tower office, Pooley offered the following:

Farron Cousins, www.EnergyBoom.com contributor reports on Former President Al Gore's view that the failure of the U.S. Senate to pass legislation to curb greenhouse gases (like the American Power Act) is already costing the country billions of dollars.

Responding to Robert Kennedy's WSJ Op-EdMonday, July 18, 2011 — Listed under Environment

In today's Wall Street Journal, Robert Kennedy, Jr. writes another Op-Ed in opposition to Cape Wind. My online response to Kennedy's unfortunate perspective is copied below. Here is the short link to the WSJ piece, entitled, "Nantucket's Wind Power Rip-Off:" http://tinyurl.com/3lnk7r4

Robert Kennedy misses the point altogether! Taxpayers in MA and all over the country are routinely “fleeced” each time they pay their utility bill and appropriate warning labels are omitted. Here is what c.... more >>

After enjoying a performance yesterday at the American Ballet Theatre, my mom and I stopped for dinner at Cafe Fiorello. I had just finished reading Eric Pooley's NYT best-selling The Climate War and my mom was half way through her copy. A former art authenticator and long-serving Metropolitan Museum guide, I am sure my mom was looking forward to a little "girl time," a light-hearted summertime night-out with her visiting daughter.

Barbara, you say that you're for clean power, but not in your backyard? That's simply hypocritical. It's time that we all move beyond our.... more >>

Carl Safina and LA Times EditorialTuesday, May 11, 2010 — Listed under Environment

Carl Safina will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award this Friday for his contributions to wildlife and marine conservation. Follow Carl's wildlife adventures, field observations, and stellar photojournalistic essays at his site: www.carlsafina.org

In support of climate action, today's LA TimesEditorial: Climate change is the true crisis more >>

I respectfully urge you to enter a favorable Record of Decision for Cape Wind. America is ready for the decades-overdue energy alternatives that will create green-collar jobs, inspire business innovation, re-ignite the economy, improve air quality, and increase America's energy independence and security. Please help President Obama deliver the kind of leadership from Washington that will galvanize American imagination and ingenuity and drive a green energy revolution.

Cape Wind is a National Treasure Worth PreservingThursday, January 14, 2010 — Listed under Environment

Carol Shull, the Keeper of the Register for the U.S. National Parks determined yesterday that Nantucket Sound is eligible for consideration as a Traditional Cultural Property. But isn't Cape Wind's proposal also a national treasure? 130 off-shore windmills spinning sea breezes into clean, green electricity will protect our nation's history by producing carbon-free electricity, which will signal “Yes!” to other renewable energy entrepreneurs and investors who are waiting to see tangible evidence of our Administration's commitment to altern.... more >>

Protecting the Air We Breathe Not A Priority?Tuesday, January 12, 2010 — Listed under Environment

Alaska Senator, Lisa Murkowski's amendment to prohibit the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases sounds so familiar. It wasn't too long ago that the Bush Administration regularly disregarded the pioneering air and water quality protections enacted before George himself even entered college. While still in high-school, serious-minded lawmakers like Edmund Muskie labored with colleagues late into the evenings to pass landmark socio-environmental legislation, including the Clean Air Act of 1963, and later, the Air Quality Act of 1967; the Clean Air Act Extension.... more >>

Regarding the claim by the Aquinnah Wampanoag people that Cape Wind's project would interfere with their spiritual rituals (NYT, January 5, 2010), consider the incessant interference from southeastern Massachusetts' increasingly poor air quality and the near-disappearance of century's-old Native American fishing grounds. Cape Wind will transform mechanical wind energy into the renewable, pollution-free electricity that will supply two-thirds of the power required by Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. As a now distant descendent of an Oklahom.... more >>

Environmental Protection is a Tribal ValueWednesday, January 6, 2010 — Listed under Environment

The Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe, residing on the far-southwestern limit of Martha's Vineyard would likely see their cultural values reflected by Cape Wind if it were not for waterfront land-owners manipulating them to satisfy their own agenda. It is disrespectful to the Wampanoag people and to the cultural heritage of Native Americans nation-wide to use the Wampanoag's recently granted legal status to fight a project that would otherwise be viewed by the tribe as a model for environmental conservation and thoughtful resource management. After all, where have the Wampan.... more >>

Hagman, whose home in southern California sports a 94-kilowatt solar installation, proudly walks the “Shine, baby, shine” walk; his solar-powered Ojai residence feeds excess electricity directly back to the grid. Hagman has evolved from the stampeding oil tycoon he played on the .... more >>

Last month, Coca-Cola and Nike linked the impacts of a dangerously warming planet, particularly long-term droughts and record-breaking flooding, with the disruption of their natural resource and material supply chains. With both companies now publicly supporting regulations aimed at curbing the use of fossil fuels and the funding of clean energy infrastructure, it's not unrealistic to expect that the market valuation for oil, coal, and natural ga.... more >>

Following the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris (COP21) last month, When the Wind Blows is receiving shining endorsements from climate leaders, including Bill McKibben, Mark Jacobson and Mark Ruffalo. The rhyming picture book, by Stacy Clark (Holiday House Books / Aged 3-8), is a renewable energy adventure that engages readers to embrace wind power as a friendly and reliable source of electricity. The lyrical stanzas, accompanied by Brad Sneed's ink-and-watercolor illustrations, transform the sto.... more >>

As the U.N. climate talks in Paris continue to draw international attention, one important article in Scientific American sums up the hope, promise and potential of the conference with numbers we can all relate to.

It may be hard to believe, but plans are underway to power a conservative Texas community with 100% wind- and solar-powered electricity.

Thanks to Ari Phillips's June 11th story in Climate Progress, I had a sense that the Mayor of Georgetown, Texas was different than most. It's big news that Georgetown, located just north of Austin, will be powered by Panhandle winds and W.... more >>

When the Wind Blows: An Environmental Success StorySaturday, January 3, 2015 — Listed under Environment

There's more than enough hard work ahead this year for every environmentally engaged citizen -- lots of hurdles to jump, lots of town meetings to attend, and many legal challenges to win!

Mary Wood, author of Nature's Trust, recently appeared on Bill Moyers delivering the kind of inspiration we all can use. Explaining how ancient Trust Law can be leveraged to ensure that local, state and federal governments fulfill their responsibility to pro.... more >>

Massachusetts may be the First State to DivestSaturday, June 14, 2014 — Listed under Environment

Climate scientists are beginning to point to the extreme weather events of the last few years to illustrate the impacts of man-made climate change. John Holdren, the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, made the suggestion while speaking, last December, at The Grantham Institute for Climate Change at London's Imperial College. This remarkably thorough and precise one-hour presentation&nbs.... more >>

In it, I wrote: "with the impacts of climate change directly impacting global commerce, with private equity investors distancing themselves from unsustainable investments, with clean energy delivering winning returns, and with more endowments turning toward the sun and the wind and away from business as usual, colleges and university endo.... more >>

Fossil Fuels will Become Stranded AssetsSaturday, February 15, 2014 — Listed under Environment

In January, investment giant, Goldman Sachs, which has already forecast that the value of the coal industry “will be gradually eroded,” recently divested its stake in a Seattle company with plans to construct the proposed Gateway Pacific coal export terminal. The project's proponents hope to ship more >>

A report released this week in the journal Science entitled, “Methane Leaks from North American Natural Gas Systems,” suggests that continued scrutiny of the natural gas industry is justified. Its lead author, Adam Brant, a Stanford University assistant professor, who studies the environmental impacts of energy systems, documents that the amount of methane gas escaping from natural gas drilling ope.... more >>

Can N.Y. Power its Way to a Sustainable Future?Tuesday, March 12, 2013 — Listed under Environment

The Promiscuous Politics of the Energy IndustrySaturday, July 21, 2012 — Listed under Environment

Last week, Huffington Post Green published my interview with climate scientist and Nobel Prize Winning author, Dr. Michael E. Mann. Here is a link to the story: http://huff.to/MSp8Ps and below is the article. Please contact me at stacy@dallaswriter.com if you have any questions or comments - I would love to hear from you!

Have you noticed the rise in the use of political graphs of late? You know, those smart charts that now appear regularly on political news shows like MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Show. The well-honed v.... more >>

Joe Romm, the Center for American Progress's climate guru and one of the most well-respected scientific journalists on the subject today, posted a speech given on the floor of Congress by RI's Democratic Senator, Sheldon Whitehouse.

in the 23-minute "stemwinder" speech, Senator Whitehouse laments the failure of the U.S. Senate to act on global warming: "We are earning the scorn and condemnation of history...It is magic.... more >>

Major Endowments Divest from Fossil FuelsSaturday, February 15, 2014 — Listed under Environment

We know that scientists influence society in powerful ways. On December 14th, 2011, Senators Al Franken (D-MN) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) addressed Congress and reminded America not only of the debt we owe scientists for their steadfast commitment to cures and innovation, but also the reliance we have always placed on their research and findings.

On August 12, the Huffington Post pubished this review of Danny Kennedy's book:

If you've ever imagined a global trek around the world, you will love Danny Kennedy's book, “Rooftop Revolution: How Solar Power Can Save Our Economy—and our Planet—from Dirty Energy.” It's an illuminating, pragmatic and often humorous adventure that charts the author's evolution from a tween environmental activist to .... more >>

It's not the WeatherMonday, April 19, 2010 — Listed under Publications

www.dailyclimate.org published my article today! Douglas Fischer, an award-winning writer and journalist and dailyclimate's Editor, did a fantastic job of making this piece really stand out! I hope that you'll have a look.

Ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris (COP21) next month, "When the Wind Blows" is receiving shining endorsements from leading environmental experts, including Bill McKibben, Mark Jacobson and Mark Ruffalo. The rhyming picture book, by Stacy Clark (Holiday House Books / Aged 3-8), is a renewable energy adventure that engages readers to embrace wind power as a sustainable source of clean electricity. The lyrical stanzas, accompanied by Brad Sneed's ink-and watercolor illustrations, transform the science of wind power technology into appealing.... more >>

Regarding your editorial "Nantucket Wind Ride" (Jan. 8): Perhaps few things have surprised environmental advocates more than the Aquinnah Wampanoag Indians opposing Cape Wind's construction of 130 wind turbines off the eastern coast of Martha's Vineyard, on the grounds that such an installation would interfere with their spiritual su.... more >>

Cape Cod Times Letter to the EditorTuesday, February 23, 2010 — Listed under Publications

The nearly decade-long sociopolitical debate that has arisen over Cape Wind's proposal to build 130 windmills in Nantucket Sound begs the question: at what point do the obstructionist tactics of alternative energy's detractors become an unacceptable distraction from the pressing .... more >>

Nantucket Sound is a national treasure. Apart from her scenic beauty and once-rich fishing grounds, Nantucket Sound's offshore winds reveal her most endearing charm—the opportunity to shrink our growing carbon footprint..... more >>

INKUBATE is for WRITERS!Tuesday, May 17, 2011 — Listed under Publications

Yes, I HAVE been working on a new climate article involving the pioneering work of U.K. legal scholar, Polly Higgins, University of Oregon law professor, Mary Wood, and Massachusetts-based environmental attorney, Matt Pawa. Collectively, their careers reveal that trust law may provide the modern remedy required to protect our a.... more >>

San Miguel de Allende!Monday, February 6, 2012 — Listed under Observations

I'm traveling to the heart of Mexico soon...

And, I'm excited!

There are literally hundreds of reasons to go! Like, for example, the bounty of writers, poets, playwrights, comedians, documentarians, journalists, editors, publishers, agents and artists who will meet, mingle and collaborate at the 7th Annual San Miguel de Allende Writers Conference, beginning February 16th.

Nevertheless, like all seasoned procrastinators, I put off booking the trip...until last week, that is, when I landed on Laurie Gough's travel essay, "Think in Colors." I wa.... more >>

Nantucket Drowned: The Farcical Comedy of Affluent NIMBY Islanders Masquerading as Guardians of Nantucket Sound. Come on now…everyone sees through it. The Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound is nothing more than a local campaign to protect the myopic agenda of the NIMBY rich landowners of Cape Cod. If only Oscar Wilde were around to write the play!

As a co-founder of Inkubate.com, I'm deeply saddened by the passing of our friend, Ray Bradbury, the National Medal of Arts recipient, best known for such seminal works as Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles. Remarkably, some of Ray's last public commentary about the status of the publishing industry focused on Inkubate and its goal of helping writers build their careers:

“Inkubate is giving voice to new writers as well as resurrecting those that should not be forgotten. They have posted three of Dolp.... more >>

Diversity in LiteratureFriday, January 13, 2017 — Listed under Observations

Bestselling novelist Tobias Wolff (This Boy's Life), slam poet Taylor Mali, journalists Eliza Griswold and Jake McAuley and celebrated children's book author Dianna Hutts Aston came together on stage last week at St. Mark's School of Texas to celebrate storytelling. This Tenth Annual Literary Festival, hosted by St. Mark's students and faculty, marked the first time that a children's author was invited to participate. Not only is Aston known for her wildly successful Chronicle Books series, which inc.... more >>

Where You Lead, I Will FollowMonday, September 19, 2011 — Listed under Observations

This weekend's Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL) was probably the first outdoor concert where the crowd cheered when the rain rolled in. The record-breaking summer heat wave and extensive drought have fueled deadly wildfires across southern Texas. It's no surprise that the fans were ecstatic.

Though a bill has been proposed and approved to increase the state's potable water supply, it has yet to receive funding, according to Vanessa Martin, Media Relations Manager for more >>

The OccupyWriters Movement Represents Us All!Monday, November 28, 2011 — Listed under Observations

The Occupy Wall Street movement is a powerful one. What began as a collective voice of the people fighting for American jobs and against the excesses of the 1% quickly grew into a larger social movement. One could trace its origins back to September when Bill McKibben's 350.org group convened in D.C. to protest the now hotly debated Keystone XL pipeline project. The relatively small group of activists, risking arrest, urged P.... more >>

Writers loved the workshop I attended, last week, in San Miguel de Allende. Led by Susan Sutliff Brown, Ph.D., a James Joyce Scholar and a top-notch literary coach, “Everything You Need to Know About Creating Great Fiction in 90 Minutes or Less” was a fast-paced literary adventure. We couldn't get enough of Brown's anecdotes involving the “hybridization” of fiction.

“Open with a violation of the natural order of things,” Professor Brown directed as we endeavored to write an introductor.... more >>